Robert Barnwell Rhett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Barnwell Rhett
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| Deputy to the Provisional C.S. Congress from South Carolina |
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| In office February 4, 1861 – February 18, 1862 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| United States Senator from South Carolina |
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| In office December 18, 1850 – May 7, 1852 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Barnwell |
| Succeeded by | William de Saussure |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina |
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| In office March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1849 |
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| Preceded by | William Grayson |
| Succeeded by | William Colcock |
| Constituency | 2nd district (1837–43) 7th district (1843–49) |
| 8th Attorney General of South Carolina | |
| In office November 29, 1832 – March 4, 1837 |
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| Governor | Robert Hayne George McDuffie Pierce Butler |
| Preceded by | Hugh S. Legaré |
| Succeeded by | Henry Bailey |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from St. Bartholomew's Parish | |
| In office November 27, 1826 – November 29, 1832 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Barnwell Smith
December 21, 1800 Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Died | September 14, 1876 (aged 75) St. James Parish, Louisiana |
| Resting place | Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations |
Southern National Party |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer, planter, and newspaper publisher |
Robert Barnwell Rhett (born Robert Barnwell Smith; December 21, 1800 – September 14, 1876) was an American politician. He served as a representative for South Carolina in the United States House of Representatives from 1837 to 1849. Later, he was a US Senator from South Carolina from 1850 to 1852.
Rhett strongly supported slavery. He was one of the first people to push for states to leave the United States, a process called secession. Because of his strong views, he was known as a "Fire-Eater". He shared his ideas through his newspaper, the Charleston Mercury.
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Robert Rhett's Early Life
Robert Barnwell Smith was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, in the United States. He later studied law to become a lawyer. His family had English roots.
His mother's side of the family included important politicians. His great-uncle was US Representative Robert Barnwell. Senator Robert Woodward Barnwell was also a cousin.
Robert Rhett's Early Career
Rhett started his political career in the South Carolina legislature. He served there from 1826 to 1832. During this time, he was very vocal about his support for slavery.
In 1832, Rhett became the Attorney General of South Carolina. He held this position until 1837. After that, he was elected to the US House of Representatives. He served there until 1849. In 1838, he changed his last name from Smith to Rhett. This new name came from an important ancestor, Colonel William Rhett.
The Nullification Crisis
The Nullification Crisis was a disagreement between South Carolina and the US government. It was about whether states could ignore federal laws. At the end of this crisis in 1833, Rhett spoke to a special meeting in South Carolina. He said that people who owned slaves needed to control their own future.
Rhett also strongly disagreed with the Tariff of 1842. This was a law that protected American industries by taxing imported goods.
Robert Rhett's Support for Secession
Rhett was a strong believer that Southern states should leave the United States. He felt this was the only way to protect slavery.
The Bluffton Movement
On July 31, 1844, Rhett started the Bluffton Movement. This movement urged South Carolina to either ignore federal laws again or declare its independence. However, other politicians in South Carolina did not support this idea. They worried it would hurt the chances of James K. Polk becoming president.
The Compromise of 1850
Rhett was against the Compromise of 1850. This was a series of laws meant to calm tensions over slavery. He believed it went against the interests of the Southern states that relied on slavery.
He joined other "Fire-Eaters" at the Nashville Convention in 1850. This meeting aimed to get all Southern states to agree to secede. However, the convention did not support his goal. After this, Rhett and others formed the short-lived Southern National Party.
In December 1850, Rhett became a US Senator. He continued to push for secession. But in 1852, South Carolina decided not to secede. Instead, it passed a law saying states had the right to secede. Disappointed, Rhett resigned from his Senate seat.
His son, Robert Jr., took over editing the Charleston Mercury. Rhett continued to share his strong ideas about secession through the newspaper.
The 1860 Election
In 1860, the Democratic Party met in Charleston, South Carolina. Many Southern delegates left the meeting because the party's platform did not support slavery enough. This split the party and led to two different candidates for president. This made it almost certain that an anti-slavery Republican would win.
When Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, won the election, seven states declared secession. Many believed this outcome was planned by Rhett and others.
Robert Rhett and the Confederacy
After Abraham Lincoln's election, Rhett was chosen for the South Carolina Secession Convention. This convention declared that South Carolina was leaving the United States in December 1860.
Rhett was then selected as a representative from South Carolina to the Provisional Confederate States Congress. This was the first government of the Confederate States. He was very active and led the committee that wrote the Confederate States Constitution. He was later elected to the Confederate House of Representatives.
Rhett did not receive any higher positions in the Confederate government. He returned to South Carolina. During the American Civil War, he often criticized the decisions of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
Later Life and Legacy
After the Civil War ended, Rhett moved to Louisiana. He passed away in St. James Parish, Louisiana, in 1876. He is buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Robert Barnwell Rhett House in Charleston is an important historical building. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
See also
- List of slave owners
- List of United States representatives from South Carolina
- List of United States senators from South Carolina
